Capital Power must continue to offset coal plant emissions as promised: regulator

You may recall my post from last October criticizing Albertan power generator Capital Power for trying to back out of an obligation to offset emissions from its 495 Genesee 3 coal-fired generating station by 50 per cent, giving it an emissions profile roughly equivalent to a natural gas plant. It agreed to this offset back in 2001 so it could get permission from the regulator to build the plant. When the plant was approved, it was made a condition of the project, and a similar condition was imposed on TransAlta’s Keephills 3 coal plant that followed, which is rated 450 MW. TransAlta is half owner of Genesee 3. Capital Power says the condition is unfair and that it should be let off the hook.

Today, the Alberta Utilities Commission rejected Capital Power’s application to have the condition removed, as the Edmonton Journalexplains here. This is good news in a province far too dependent on coal-fired electricity.